A Turlock bicyclist struck by a car Thursday night has died from his injuries after the ambulance he was riding in was hit by a truck and rolled over.
The name of the deceased has not been released, pending next of kin notification. The Turlock Police Department said he was a Turlock resident in his 60s.
The ambulance rollover also injured two Turlock firefighters, the second driver, a paramedic and emergency medical technician with American Medical Response.
The collision between the bicyclist and the first vehicle happened at 9:12 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of N. Olive and E. Hawkeye avenues.
The bicyclist was crossing E. Hawkeye Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle which was headed east, driven by 19-year-old Sydney Tyler.
“The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and has been cooperative with the investigation,” said Turlock Police Department spokesman Sgt. Russ Holeman. “As the investigation is still on going, cause has not yet been established.”
The impact left the bicyclist with life-threatening injuries and the decision was made to transport him via ambulance to a Modesto area hospital.
“Due to the severity of his injuries, EMS personnel requested the assistance of two Turlock firefighters to accompany them to the hospital,” Holeman said.
At 9:33 p.m. the ambulance was in the intersection of N. Golden State Boulevard and W. Monte Vista Avenue when it was struck by a Toyota truck, driven by 62-year-old Luis Ambriz Madrino.
The force of the impact caused the ambulance to rollover and injured all five occupants.
The bicyclist was transported in another ambulance to an area hospital, where despite life-saving measures being taken, he succumbed to his injuries.
The injuries of the two firefighters and the two ambulance personnel ranged from moderate to severe, the police department reported. The firefighters were treated and evaluated at a local hospital and have since been released. The ambulance staff was also transported to area medical facilities and remain hospitalized.
Madrino was taken by ambulance for unspecified injuries.
The ambulance was headed west on W. Monte Vista with lights and siren activated when it was broadsided by the Toyota, which was headed south on N. Golden State Boulevard.
Fault in either collision has yet to be determined.
“Turlock Police Department would like to thank the California Highway Patrol for their assistance in the investigation of this second collision,” Holeman said. “In addition to their assistance, several citizens who witnessed this collision stopped to offer assistance during this time. The Turlock Police Department would like to thank those citizens who assisted with directing traffic and aiding personnel as they tended to those injured.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased and all those involved in these two collisions,” said Turlock Police Chief Nino Amirfar. “I am proud of our community and their willingness to get involved to assist their first responders when resources were stretched thin. Their assistance allowed officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel to focus their attention on helping those injured.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this accident and we wish a full recovery to the injured AMR crew,” Turlock Firefighters, Local #2434 wrote on their Facebook page. “Despite being injured in the accident, our two firefighters started providing care to the patient and injured ambulance crew before additional Turlock Fire crews could arrive on scene. We wish these firefighters a speedy recovery and thank them for their dedicated service. Thank you to the various ambulance crews that responded to the scene to not only care for the patients, and AMR crew, but also our members who were transported to the hospital.”
Turlock City Fire Department responded to this accident with two engines, Squad 32, a battalion chief and the interim fire chief.
Anyone with any information about the collision which occurred at E. Hawkeye Avenue and N. Olive Avenue are encouraged to call Officer Allen Samano at (209) 668-5550 ext. 6753. Those with information about the collision which occurred at W. Monte Vista Avenue and N. Golden State Boulevard are encouraged to call Officer Marco Diaz at (209) 668-5550 ext. 6717. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 ext. 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us. You can remain anonymous.
